Since 1980, the Black college-going rate has nearly doubled, while the Latino college-going rate has more than doubled. As a result, the Black and Latino share of public college enrollment has grown from 15 percent in 1980 to 35 percent in 2015. However, those impressive college-going gains are not being matched by gains in college completion.…

This is the executive summary for the report, "Our Separate & Unequal Public Colleges: How Public Colleges Reinforce White Racial Privilege and Marginalize Black and Latino Students." America's selective public colleges should be among the great equalizers in our society. Funded primarily by taxpayers and carrying a relatively low…

The return of college endowments from the depths of the market earlier this decade continued to gain momentum. Endowments returned an average of 10.7 percent in the 2006 fiscal year, up from the previous year's return of 9.3 percent. The largest endowments earned the best returns, allowing the wealthiest of colleges to put even more distance…

Describes how a long-predicted decline in the fortunes of small private colleges is beginning to show up in the bond market, as the number of colleges now rated in the junk category has nearly doubled. (EV)

A national survey of 346 private and 162 public colleges found that the number of institution with billion-dollar endowments grew from 25 to 31, and that all responding institutions had at least some return on investments, ranging from 3.7% to 38% The greatest change was an increase in the amount of money invested in hedge funds. (MSE)

With interest rates low and endowment returns high, many colleges and universities are borrowing more than ever. This increasing reliance on bond issues and deficit spending will work if the economy remains strong. Investors appear to be eager to invest in private institutions. Colleges with more aggressive boards are using debt to reposition…

Discusses how private colleges are feeling the impact of the economic downturn; even wealthy institutions are cutting back, but the smallest institutions appear to be most vulnerable. (EV)

Analysis of the current status of Georgetown University (District of Columbia) finds a money-losing medical center and a limited endowment, but the institution retains its elite status and highly competitive admissions. Notes the respected medical and law schools, recent fund-raising success, its Catholic identity, management problems, and…

Reports on a $1 billion dollar grant from Bill and Melinda Gates to send 20,000 low-income minority students to college. The Gates Millenium Scholars Program will require students to demonstrate financial need and maintain a 3.0 grade point average in college. A list of the largest private gifts to higher education since 1967 is also provided. (DB)

Provides descriptions of the policies and practices that enabled six colleges, once in danger of closing, to achieve turnarounds and regain financial health. The institutions profiled are: (1) Rocky Mountain College, Montana; (2) Bellevue University, Washington; (3) Muskingum College, Ohio; (4) University of the Ozarks, Arkansas; (5) University of…